ASPCA Rescues and Arrests Blog Posts

At the ASPCA, we know animal cruelty can happen at any time or place nationwide. That’s why our Field Investigations and Response Team (FIR) must be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. FIR responders travel throughout the nation to assist animals in situations such as natural disasters, puppy mill raids and dog fighting busts. The FIR team recently received some exciting news: thanks to generous grants from the Joanie Bernard Foundation, Inc. and the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, FIR responders will now deploy in a state of the art mobile command center known as the Personnel Support and Operations Trailer.

The trailer will consist of a 13-foot Great Western tractor, a 53-foot semi-trailer and 12-foot command center—an overall length of 82 feet. It will serve as a mobile command center during FIR deployments, providing a secure planning space and vital communications equipment, including a meeting area, a satellite communications and command center and flat-screen televisions.

In the aftermath of a disaster, it is often difficult for the FIR team to find lodging in locations where their assistance is needed most. Now, FIR responders will have a comfortable and secure place to stay after strenuous days in the field. The new trailer will provide beds for 14 team members, a full kitchen and bathrooms with showers. The trailer also features holding tanks for water, a washer and dryer, heat and air conditioning. The FIR team is looking forward to utilizing the trailer in the coming weeks.

As many of you know, earlier this week, the ASPCA joined local authorities to remove more than 40 dogs, including Chihuahuas and blood hounds, from a large, substandard breeding facility—also referred to as a puppy mill—in Nancy, Kentucky. Many of the dogs have untreated medical conditions, and are being cared for by a team of veterinarians and responders at a temporary facility, set up by the ASPCA and the Kentucky Humane Society, in Louisville.

The dogs are safe now. With temperatures dropping rapidly across the country, it was just in time. These dogs will never again suffer in extreme cold without access to food or shelter. They’ll never be stacked in tiny cages. And they’ll never be forced to breed.

Right now, the ASPCA is providing shelter, veterinary care, healthy food and much-needed attention and affection to the rescued dogs. Our work is far from over.

Please take a moment to watch and share our video. You’ll see some of the dogs we rescued, as well as the conditions these dogs were forced to endure.

The ASPCA is currently on the ground in Kentucky assisting local authorities with the removal and transport of more than 40 dogs from Dream Catcher Kennels, a large, substandard breeding facility—frequently referred to as a puppy mill. The dogs—ranging from Chihuahuas to blood hounds—were discovered living in filthy, deplorable conditions. Many have untreated medical issues and were found living with little or no shelter in below freezing temperatures.

Dennis Bradley, 61, the owner and operator of the facility, based in Nancy, Kentucky, is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow and is expected to enter a guilty plea to the charge of cruelty to animals in the second degree. As part of the plea deal, Bradley has surrendered the dogs at his facility and will face six months in jail probated for a term of 24 months.

“As is true for most puppy mill dogs, these dogs appear to have gone most of their lives without basic necessities or much exposure to humans,” reports Kathryn Destreza, Director of Investigations for the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response Team. “We hope to give these dogs much-needed medical treatment and place them quickly into new homes where they can learn what it means to be a pet.”

The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) is assisting the ASPCA with the removal of the animals as well as the medical triage and sheltering operation. The ASPCA and KHS have established a temporary shelter in Louisville, where the dogs will receive veterinary care with supplies provided by PetSmart Charities, Inc., as well as socialization.

Our responders are still on the ground, and we’ll continue to provide updates as this rescue unfolds. Stay tuned to aspca.org/blog, and follow the hashtag #MillsBreedMisery, for more news to come.

Though it’s only been a few months since the ASPCA kicked off its groundbreaking partnership with the NYPD, we are already seeing some amazing results. First, there was the case of Hall and Oates, followed by the story of Hank. Now, officers and advocates have teamed up again to rescue nine cats from a hoarding situation in the Bronx.

It started when a patrol sergeant from the 40th precinct received a routine call about a lot of cats. Upon arrival at the scene, the sergeant found a lawful but unhealthy situation. Fifteen cats were living in one apartment, nine of whom were kittens, and their owner was clearly overwhelmed. Thanks to our new partnership, the officer was able to refer the case to the ASPCA Cruelty Intervention Advocacy (CIA) team for immediate assistance.

Now, these nine sweet kittens, all named after famous athletes, are in our Adoption Center comfortably awaiting their new forever homes. The CIA team is working with the pet owner to continue reducing the population, provide spay/neuter for the remaining cats and link her to social services for her own needs. They will continue to work with her as long as she needs assistance

If you are interested in adopting one of these kittens, please visit the ASPCA Adoption Center. Because there’s only one thing we like better than a happy ending: nine of them.

Luckily, this was just the beginning of a transformation for Red. When he arrived at the ASPCA Animal Hospital, he was thin and had multiple wounds on his head and leg. Red received treatment including IV fluids, pain medication and antibiotics. After six weeks of care and recovery, Red was ready to find a new forever home.

Just before Christmas, Red went home with adopter Zach C. to begin his new life as a beloved pet. Red, now known as Hank, is thriving with Zach and his cat, Frank.

"ASPCA volunteers stayed late so that I could bring Hank home before the Adoption Center closed for the holidays,” Zach says. “Hank is now part of the family and adds his own personality to an already happy home. There's nothing like waking up with a dog who is excited to play and hang out with me all day.”

Zach reports that while he was initially nervous about Hank and Frank getting along, the two are very curious about each other and love to compete for the attention of Zach and his girlfriend.

We’re thrilled that Hank is so happy and healthy in his new home. Unfortunately, thousands of animals are victims of cruelty nationwide. If you live in New York City and witness animal cruelty, please call 311 (or 911 for crimes in progress) to notify the NYPD. To learn how to report cruelty in your state, please visit our Reporting Cruelty FAQ.

Ready to help more animals like Hank in 2014? Join us! Become an ASPCA Guardian, and for just a few cents a day, you can make a huge impact on countless lives.